Shiplap Headboard
Sleeping Beauty
One of the most important design decisions in your bedroom is your choice of headboard.
It’s a powerful focal point that can change the ambience of a room and make it an invitation to restore, relax and reflect.
Consider waking up in style with this DIY headboard that unites MDF moulding, doorstop and shiplap to bring a sophisticated, grown up, low-key elegance.
Shiplap Headboard
Instructions and measurements are for a king headboard.
What You'll Need
1 @ 4’ x 8’ 1/4” mahogany underlay
18” x 8’ 3/4” plywood
12” x 8’ 1/4” plywood
6 @ 8’ 7” x 1/2” MDF shiplap
4 @ 8’ 4-1/2” x 5/8” MDF moulding
2 @ 8’ 2-1/2” x 5/8” MDF moulding
1 @ 80” MDF doorstop moulding
Beauti-Tone Cabinet & Furniture paint
Here’s How
An 18-gauge stapler is preferred for this project, however finishing nails may be used.
Frame:
Cut 1/4” mahogany underlay to 48” x 80” and lay on a flat surface.
Reinforce the frame:
Cut 4-1/2” strips of 3/4” plywood. Glue and fasten 60” pieces flush to the sides, extending 12” below for the legs.
Glue and fasten 71” pieces of 4-1/2” strips of 3/4” plywood across the top and bottom between the sides.
Turn the assembled sheet over. Repeat instructions on the front side using 3 1/2” strips of 3/4” plywood.
Cut 1/4” plywood to fill the gap in leg.
Shiplap:
Cut shiplap to fit inside plywood strips with a 1/4” clearance (72-1/2”).
Starting at the top, glue and fasten shiplap boards to the underlay.
Rip the last board to fit bottom of headboard.
To cover shiplap edges, cut 4-1/2 x 5/8” moulding to fit 60” sides and 71” top and bottom. Glue and fasten in place.
Top detail:
Glue and fasten 2 layers of 2-1/2” x 5/8” moulding together. Attach on top of headboard with enough overhang in the front to cover doorstop moulding (next step).
Cut MDF doorstop to fit width of headboard. Fasten under top piece.
Finish:
Fill all nail or staple holes with Home® wood filler.
Fill edge of plywood assembly with Minwax® high performance wood filler.
Sand smooth.
Prime bare wood. Paint the entire headboard with Beauti-Tone Cabinet and Furniture paint. Shown Love Letters WB002-0.